20th Grand Prix Still a Slight Possibly for F1 in 2013

Bernie Ecclestone is predicting that the 2013 F1 season will have 19 races since the New Jersey Grand Prix dropped out last year. However, he says that he is still in some form of negotiations with several European tracks. 

Ecclestone had originally said that he had "a pen and are ready to sign" for a French GP at Paul Ricard in 2013, but the contract has not yet been signed. 

Now, Paul Ricard, the Nürburgring, the Red Bull Ring in Austria, the Istanbul circuit in Turkey and the new Algarve track in Portugal are all negotiating to be the 20th grand prix on the schedule. 

"There is interest still in France, and now also in Portugal. They want to do it at the new Algarve track.

"For Germany, it would be Nurburgring. Let's see if they can put it together," said Ecclestone. 

As is often the case in Formula 1, if a track wants to be on the calendar bad enough it will be on the schedule, which means the track has a large enough bank account. Even Ecclestone is dubious that the race will be added at this point. 

"The teams do not seem to be in favor of this race. I doubt it will happen," said Ecclestone.